The head of the vigilante group in Ibafo area in Obafemi-Owode local government area of Ogun State, identified as John, has been declared wanted by the Homicide Detectives of the state Police Command, in connection with the murder of his best friend, whose name was given as Idris Alaba in a bush in the area.

Reports have it that John had allegedly invited Alaba to a party but later tricked him into a forest, where he used a plank to smash his head, killing him on the spot.

The children of the fleeing suspect were arrested when they reportedly packed their belongings and were about to run away from the community when the residents apprehended them and later handed over to the police.

According to resident, John’s children said they overheard their father telling somebody that Alaba was disturbing their business in the community and as such, had to be removed.

Alaba’s journey to death, it was gathered, started on May 3, after John invited him to a party in Sagamu.

The two men left Alaba’s residence on Ajemobi Street and rode on a motorcycle to the supposed function. The family of the deceased, however, became worried when their father did not return home. When they called his phone number several times and it was switched off, the became panicky.

Alaba's children then called John's number who told them that their father had left the party early and even wondered why he had not gotten home since.

A family source said:

"Alaba’s children said they were worried after speaking with John. He was the one that took their father to the party. They were also worried about the brusque way John spoke to them.

Immediately we rushed to John’s home on Ebute Ojora Road, we were shocked to find John’s two kids armed with their luggage. It was clear they were running away.

We apprehended and handed them over to the police at Ibafo Police Station. Youths who went there with us almost lynched the two kids.

One of John’s children, David, pleaded with the angry residents. The kids said they overheard their father say the late vigilante was preventing them from carrying out their ‘business’ in the community. He said they would deal with him."

An official of the vigilantes said they had to organize a search party to Sagamu where the corpse of the late Alaba was found in the bush.

"It was when we got to Ibafo Police Station with family members of our boss, that the children of the suspect told the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) that their father took the victim to Makun forest in Sagamu.

When we got there, it took us hours before we could enter the forest. The first thing we noticed in the forest was the footpath they took. We saw the motorcycle tracks.

We followed the tracks and traced the victim. We found him dead. The plank used in smashing his head was beside him."

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident but said the suspect was still at large and promised that he would not escape the long arm of the law.